Gemstone beads guide — ruby, sapphire, emerald and friends on a string

Gemstone beads put actual ruby, sapphire, emerald and amethyst into stringing
projects — often at prices that surprise people who only know gems from
engagement rings. But strung gems behave differently from faceted centre
stones, and a maker who understands them buys (and sells) better.

Which stones you'll actually meet on the bead market

• Corundum family — ruby and sapphire, in every colour of the rainbow
  (sapphire is not only blue). Tough, wearable, beads are commonly heat-treated
  — a stable, accepted treatment.
• Beryl family — emerald (fragile-ish; often oiled, handle gently) and
  aquamarine (durable, beachy blue).
• Quartz family — amethyst, citrine, rose quartz, smoky: affordable,
  hard, and the backbone of gemstone beading.
• Jade — jadeite and nephrite, beloved in Southeast Asia; extremely tough
  despite modest hardness. Read the
  jade guide
  for the jadeite/nephrite distinction.

The two rules that protect you

1. Hardness for wear — anything quartz-hard (Mohs 7+) survives bracelet
   duty; softer stones (Mohs 5-6) belong in necklaces and earrings where they
   take less knock.
2. Ask about treatment — heat, dye, oiling and filling are common and
   legitimate WHEN DISCLOSED. Undisclosed filling in "ruby" beads is the
   classic trap; a seller who talks openly about treatment is a seller you
   can trust.

Go deeper on gems — free

The school's
gem webinar replays
cover identification, treatments and trade practice — free to watch. The
gem e-book
is the written companion. When you're properly hooked, the
gemmology foundation course
turns curiosity into a certificate — see the
course directory
for where it sits.

What students say

“An institute that provides an all rounded education in jewellery.”

— Geraldine C. (Singapore) · published student feedback

“I will use the skills learnt to draw more designs for my company as we are now dealing a lot in fancy cut diamonds.”

— Darvina P. (Singapore) · published student feedback

Free ways to explore

No sign-up, no payment — start with any of these.

DDownload the gem e-bookFREE
The school's free guide to gems — reading companion to the webinars.FFree gem webinar replaysFREE
Full recorded sessions on gems and the jewellery trade.PPlay Name That GemFREE
The school's free gem-identification game — addictive.TThe complete course guideFREE
Every course, family and diploma in one PDF.

Keep exploring

Handmade bead jewellery gift guide — what to make for whomGift-worthy bead jewellery projects matched to their recipients — mothers, partners, frienWhere to buy beads and jewellery-making supplies in SingaporeA beader's guide to buying supplies in Singapore — what to look for in a supplier, what toBeading techniques guide — stringing, weaving and wirework explainedThe three core beading technique families explained with real classroom examples — what eaColour theory for beadwork — a practical maker's guideHow to choose bead colours that work — value, saturation, temperature, complements and the

Turn beading into a certified skill

JDMIS in Singapore runs hands-on fashion jewellery and beading courses, from one-day workshops to a full Fashion Jewellery Arts diploma.

Visit jdmis.edu.sg